7 Card Stud Hilo Hand Selection

While starting hand selection in any form of poker is important, it is even more so in Seven Card Stud HiLo.  With the object of the game being to scoop pots, selecting the right hands to play is key to help you scoop more pots.  Let's take a look at what types of starting hands that you should be looking for. Clearly, the best starting hand that you can have in Stud Hi-Lo is the same as in Stud Hi, and that is a rolled up set.  Regardless of what set that you are dealt, you will play that set and hard.  However, a rolled up set from two to eight is especially deceptive.  Many players will put you on a low and will play right along with you.  Rolled up aces are semi-deceptive as if you complete with them, you may be put on aces, but then again, you may be put on a strong three card low. 

• 7 Card Stud Hilo Rules
• 7 Card Stud Hilo Strategy
• Stud Hilo At Pokerstars

After a rolled up set, you are looking for three suited low cards.  A three card straight flush starter or three suited cards with an ace is best.  Be careful with three suited cards to an eight low, such as 8-3-2.  This hand needs to improve dramatically to stay in the hand, so do not play that type of hand if there is a lot of action.  (Meaning a completion and a raise or more.) 

After three low suited cards, start looking for your three card straight starters.  3-4-5 is the best straight starter that you can start with.  Many will argue that A-2-3 is superior, but while you have the lowest three cards, you have to catch a 4 and a five to improve to your scooper.  3-4-5 gives you 16 outs as opposed to eight outs with A-2-3.  Open ended straight starters are best as they give you multiple outs but hands such as A-2-4, A-3-5, A-4-5, 2-3-6, 2-4-6, etc are still strong starters.

Next, you are going to be looking for strong three card low hands.  Hands such as A-2-6, A-3-6, A-2-7, A-4-6, etc.  If you notice, many of these strong lows include the ace.  The ace allows you extra outs to improve to aces or even aces up if you catch well.  This type of hand really prefers multiple players in the pot as many times you are going to be playing for low.  However, there is enough equity to get you to high as well.  Three card seven-low hands that don't include an ace can be powerful as well, but be very careful if you notice someone else that could outdraw you. 

Be very careful when playing any three card eight low hand.  While you can split a pot with eight lows, there are many times where you will be outdraw.  Eight card eight lows such as three suited cards to an eight, 6-7-8, or possibly 8-A-2 can be played, but should be played very sparingly.  Other eight lows should be played in hands where you are certain you other opponents are going high, or if you are the bring-in.

The above are some basic hand recommendations to playing Stud Hi-Lo.  As always, poker is situational and you may encounter situations that force you to play other hands.  However, don't go out of your way playing junk in the hopes of getting lucky.  Solid play in Stud H/L is what is rewarded.  The above guidelines will help you scoop more pots and avoid many pitfalls that people encounter in the game.

• 7 Card Stud Hilo

• 7 Card Stud Hilo Rules

• 7 Card Stud Hilo Strategy

• Stud Hilo At Poker Stars